Applicator for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels



APPLICATOR FOR PRESSURE} SENSITIVE ADHESIVE LABELS H. DINTER Dec. 9, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

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Dec. 9, 1969 3,483,@59

APPLICATOR FOR PRESSURE- SENSITIVE ADHESIVE LABELS Filed Dec. 17, 1965 H. DlNTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r 3,483,059 APPLICATOR FOR PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE LABELS Herbert Dinter, West Covina, Calif., assignor to Avery Products Corporation, San Marino, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Dec. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 514,646

Int. Cl. B65c /02 U.S. Cl. 156-364 4'Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adhesive label applicator having a housing mounting a foraminous member adapted to receive a dispensed label and apply the label to an article, the housing defining first and second duct means communicating'with the inlet and outlet respectively of a blower mounted in the housing. The applicator further includes actuator operated valve means cooperatively arranged in the housing to alternately couple the blower inlet tothe foraminous member to hold a label against the member and then to couple the blower outlet to the foraminous member to blow the label against the article.

This invention relates to a label applicator and, more particularly, to a pneumatic device for cyclically receiving dispensed pressure-sensitive adhesive labels and applying the received labels to products to be labeled.

Pressure-sensitive adhesive labels have become widely accepted and used for many purposes including, for example, price marking of commodities and addressing magazines for subscription mailing. In each of these instances, it is economically important that the labels be applied rapidly to the articles to 'be labeled. Devices which mechanically grasp and apply a dispensed label to an article cannot be made to operate rapidly and reliably over long periods. For this reason, devices like that disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,093,528 have been developed. Devices in accord with this patent rely upon a continuously generated vacuum to hold a dispensed label against'a perforated plate; a blast of high-pressure air is used to override the continuous vacuum to move the label from its held position to an article to be labeled, the article being located below the perforated plate. I

It is also desirable that an applicator of pressure-sensitive adhesive labels be compact and essentially self-com tained. These features permit the applicator to be used in conjunction with other machines for handling and processing the labeled article. Devices in accord with Patent 3,093,528 require an external source of compressed air. Sources of compressed air, however, are not always available when and where a label applicator is to be used.

This invention provides an improved applicator for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels. The mechanism by which a dispensed label is transferred to an article to be labeled is non-mechanical and thus the applicator may be operated at high rates. The applicator is compact and does not require connection to an external source of compressed air. The applicator is capable of handling labels of many sizes and shapes without adverse elfect upon the rate of label application.

Generally speaking, the invention provides a label applicator for use with adhesive labels. A foraminous member is provided and is adapted to receive a dispensed label against one side thereof, the label being destined to be applied to an article to be labeled disposed below the foraminous member. The applicator includes continuously operable draft means having an inlet and an outlet. Changeable passage means are provided for alternately coupling the draft means inlet and the draft means outlet to the other side of the foraminous member. The ap- "ice plicator further includes actuator means for cycling the passage means between first and second states of the passage means. When the passage means is in its first state, the draft means inlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous member and the draft means draws a partial vacuum against the other side of the foraminous member to hold a dispensed label against the one side of the member. When the passage means is in its second state, the draft means outlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous member and the draft means produces a superatmospheric pressure against the member for blowing a label from against the one side of the foraminous member against an article to be labeled.

The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention are more fully set forth in the following detailed description and explanation of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, which description is presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation -view of an applicator according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view similar to FIG. 1 showing the applicator in a second condition thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another portion of the applicator shown in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-elevational view of another applicator according to this invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the actuator mechanism for the baffle valves of the applicator shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a control system for an applicator according to this invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, according to this invention, an applicator 10 for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels includes a stationary housing 11. Mounted in a horizontal plane at the lower end of the housing is a foraminous grid or perforated plate 12 which defines a lower boundary of a chamber 13 within the housing. The boundary of the chamber opposite from the perforated plate is defined by a valve block 14. Above the valve block, the housing defines separate vacuum and pressure plenum chambers 15 and 16, respectively, having a common wall 17 which ex tends to and is sealed to the upper surface of the valve block. The wall extends transversely across the valve block between the front and rear inner surfaces of the housing, as shown in FIG. 2.

A two-stage centrifugal air blower 18 is mounted in the housing so that its outlet opens to pressure plenum chamber 16. The blower provides draft means in the applicator. A duct 19 connects the vacuum plenum chamber with the inlet of the blower. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 1, blower 18 is powered by an electrical motor 20 mounted in the pressure plenum chamber. The blower volute defines a boundary of the pressure plenum chamber. The motor-blower unit, if desired, may be a Model 115250 two-stage centrifugal blower manufactured by Lamb Electric -Co., Kent, Ohio; such blowers are commonly used in vacuum cleaners.

An adjustable atmospheric vent valve 21 is disposed between duct 19 and the vacuum plenum chamber.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, four ports are formed in valve block 14. A first port 24 is formed through the valve block from the vacuum plenum chamber to chamber 13. A second port 25 opens from the valve block to plenum chamber 15 adjacent port 24; port 25, however,

opens laterally from the side of the valve block to the exterior of the applicator and does not communicate with chamber 13. A third port 26 communicates between the pressure plenum chamber and chamber 13. A fourth port opens from the valve block to pressure plenum chamber 16 adjacent port 26; this port also opens through the side of the valve block to the exterior of the applicator and does not communicate with chamber 13. As shown in FIG. 2, ports 25, 26 and 24, 27 are aligned with each other so that the openings of the ports to chambers and 16 are arranged in a rectangular array.

A pair of valve plates 28 and 29 are mounted to the upper surface of the valve block so that valve plate 28 is located in vacuum plenum chamber 15 and valve plate 29 is located in the pressure plenum chamber. Each valve plate is pivotally connected 'by a pin 30 to the valve block in such a position that each valve plate is movable from registry over one of the ports opening to the adjacent plenum chamber into and out of registry with the other port opening to the same plenum chamber. The valve plates are connected to a valve operating mechanism so that the plates may be moved between a first position wherein ports 24 and 27 are open to plenum chambers 15 and 16, respectively, and a secOnd position wherein ports 25 and 26 are open to plenum chambers 15 and 16, respectively. FIG. 2 illustrates the valve plates disposed in their first position.

The mechanism for operating the valve plates includes a pin 31 which. extends vertically from each valve plate adjacent the corresponding pivot pin 30. Each pin 31 is engaged within a slot 32 of a yoke member 33 located above the respective valve plate. Each yoke member is mounted to a corresponding free end of a U-shaped link 34. The legs of the link extend parallel to wall 17 through a rear wall of housing 11 to the return-bend portion of the link. The legs of the link are engaged in bushings 35 carried by the rear side of the applicator housing. The bushings and the portions of link 34 located exteriorly of the housing are disposed in an aperture 36 of a mounting plate 37 for the applicator. The return-bend portion of link 34 is journalled by a link actuating member 38. A tension spring 39 is connected between each of pins 31 and the valve block adjacent the front of housing 11 for urging link 34 into their first position in which the valve plates close ports 25 and 26 from the vacuum and pressure plenum chambers, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the mechanism for operating the valve actuating mechanism includes an electric motor 40 mounted to the rear side of the applicator mounting plate. The'motor has a rotatable output shaft 44 connected to an input shaft 45 of an electromagnetic clutch 46 via a coupling 47. The clutch has a rotatable output shaft 48 rotatably journalled in a bracket 49 mounted to the applicator mounting plate. Link actuating member 38 is mounted to the projecting end of the clutch output shaft so as to be secure from angular and axial movement relative to the shaft. The link actuating member, when valve plates 28 and 29 are disposed in their first position, shown in FIG. 2, extends vertically from shaft 48. When the valve plates are in their second position, illustrated in FIG. 4, member 38 is indexed angularly about the axis of shaft 48 to reciprocate link 34 away from the front portion of applicator housing 11. A stop pin 50 extends laterally from shaft mounting bracket 49 to limit the angular movement of actuating member 38. Motor 43 operates continuously and clutch 46 normally is unenergized so that no torque is applied to clutch output shaft 48.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a conveyor 53 for articles 54 to be labeled extends transversely below perforated plate 12. In FIG. 1, the articles to be labeled are shown as magazines which are to have affixed thereto labels showing the address of subscribers to whom the magazines are to be mailed. It will be understood, however, t at m gazines are shown merely for the purpose of example and that "applicator 10 'can be used to apply labels to any article desired. The applicator is positioned relative to the conveyor so that the underside of perforated plate 12 is approximately one-quarter inch above the upper surface of the magazine.

A supply drum 55, upon which is coiled a supply of pressure-sensitive adhesive labels, is located laterally of applicator 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the supply of labels comprises a plurality of discrete labels 56 having a pressure-sensitive adhesive 57 on one side and carried on a stri of release liner material 58. The individual labels are spaced about inch apart from each other along the release liner stripfThe strip of release liner material, carrying the labels thereon, is fed from supply reel over an idler roller to a knife-edge member 59. The knife-edge member has an inclined surface 60 and a honzontal surface 61 which intersect to define the knife-edge. The horizontalsurface of the knife-edge member is dis posed approximately inch above the underside of perforated plate 12. Also, the knife-edge member is disposed' closely adjacent to the side of the perforated member, but not so close that a label 56 contacts the perforated plate as the labels are separated from therelcase liner as the liner is passed over surface 60 around the knife-edge and along surface 61. From the knife-edge member, the release liner material, having the labels removed therefrom, is passed in between cooperating drive and pressure rollers 62 and 63 to a release liner take-up reel 64.

The adhesive coating which is adhered to the rear side of each label 56 and which holds the label on release liner 58 has a greater affinity for the label than for the release liner. As the release liner is moved over knifeedge member 59 and is bent sharply back upon itself by the knife edge, the adhesive separates from the release liner and the label is moved into the space below the perforated plate. The movement of release liner 58 and the operation of applicator 10 are synchronized so that, as a label is separated from the release liner, valve plates 28 and 29 are disposed in their first position so that a partial vacuum is drawn by blower 18 in chamber 13. Accordingly, a vertically moving draft of air is produced below the perforated plate. As a label is dispensed from the release liner, the label moves into this draft and is drawn by the draft against the underside of the perforated plate and is maintained against the underside of the plate by the vacuum.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the valve plates are in their first position so that ports 25 and 26 are closed from plenum chambers 15 and 16, the discharge from the blower is vented to theatmosphere through the side of the valve block via port 27. When an article to be labeled is in proper position below a label held against the underside of the perforated plate, valve member 28 and 29 are momentarily moved into their second positions by energizing clutch 46. As the clutch is energized, shaft 48 is rotated sufiiciently to cause link actuating member 38 to move against stop pin 50; thereafter shaft 48 slips relative to clutch input shaft 45. As the valve plates are moved by reciprocation of link 34 out of closure relation to ports 25 and 26 and into closure relation with ports 24 and 27, the positive pressure produced by the discharge from blower 18 is presented to chamber 13 and the label disposed below the perforated plate is blown rapidly into engagement with magazine 54 and adheres to the magazine by reason of adhesive 57. The energization of clutch 46 is then discontinued and springs 39 return the valve plates into closure relation with ports 25 and 26 to reestablish the partial vacuum in chamber 13. The applicator is then in condition to receive the next label dispensed from release liner 58 at knife-edge member 59.

Preferably conveyor 53 moves continuously past applicator 10. Release liner 58 may be moved continuously or discontinuously over knife-edge member, as required. In cases Whgre the Pressure-sen tive adhesive applied to the underside of label 56 is compatible with the exposed surface of the article to which the label is to be applied, the action of the adhesive on the article surface provides a sufficient .bond to the article. This is particularly true where the article to be labeled is fabricated of a material which is attacked by the adhesive. In many cases, however, it is necessary to pass the article under a pressure roller after the label has initially been deposited upon the article. The mechanism for applying this pressure to the applied label is not illustrated since such structure is known in the art.

FIGS. 1 and 9 schematically illustrate one system by which the advance of articles to be labeled past the applicatorand the operation of the applicator itself may be synchronized for proper positional orientation of applied labels on the articles. The conveyor mechanism which supports articles 54 may be translucent, at least in part; alternatively, the conveyor may support only a portlon of the article. In any case, a lam-p 65 is disposed above the conveyor and cooperates with a focusing lens 66 to direct a beam of light through or past conveyor 53 to a photocell 67 disposed below the conveyor. The photocell is activated when no article 54 is present on the conveyor to intersect the light beam. The output of the photocell is applied as the input to a variable time delay mechanism 68 which has its output applied at the input of an impression timing control mechanism 69. The output of the impression timing control mechanism controls energization of a valve actuator mechanism 70, i.e., motor 43 of applicator 10. The time delay period of mechanism 68 is variable by operation of a knob 71. The period of operation of valve actuator mechanism 70 is controlled by a knob 72 of the impression timing control mechanism. As the leading edge of an article 54 intersects the light beam passing between lamp 65 and the photocell, a signal is sent to the variable period time delay mechanism. After a predetermined delay period, a signal is applied from the delay mechanism to the impression timing control device which immediately operates the valve actuator mechanism. The duration of the delay defined by the time delay mechanism determines the position on the article at which the label is applied. The duration of the period during which the valve actuator is operated is related to a number of 'variables, including the spacing between the perforated plate and the top surface of the article to be labeled, the size of the label to be applied, and whether or not it'is desirable to have a downward air draft applied to the label after the label makes contact with the article. It will be apparent, therefore, that the mechanism illustrated schematically in FIG. 9 is adapted to label a multitude of articles of varying sizes; in each case the size of the label to be applied to the article may be varied.

The mechanism described is capable of applying pressure-sensitive adhesive labels to articles at a rate of about 500 labels per minute. The individual labels are transferred from the underside of the perforated plate to the articles so rapidly that the eye cannot follow this movement.

It will be noted that, during the operation of applicator 10 as described above, motor for the blower is continuously operated. The vacuum required to hold the label against the perforated plate, and the positive air pressure required to blow the label from the plate to the article to be labeled, are derived from a single source, i.e., blower 18 located within the applicator device itself. Applicator 10, therefore, is not dependent upon the provision of any external energy source other than a source of electrical power which is necessary for operating motors 20 and 43. It was noted above that an atmospheric vent valve 21 is provided between vacuum plenum chamber 15 and the duct which couples this chamber to the inlet of blower 18. As illustrated inFIGS. l and 5, the valve includes a circularly cylindrical tube 75 interposed between chamber housing 11 and duct 19, the latter preferably being a flexible hose. An opening 76 is formed in duct 75 above the applicator housing. The opening extends around approximately one-half the circumference of the duct and has a lesser extent along the tube than it has circumferentially of the tube. Duct 19 is secured to the upper end of tube 75. Between the lower end of duct 19 and the applicator housing, a sleeve 77 is slidably engaged circumferentially of tube 75. An opening 78 is formed in the sleeve for registering with opening 76. Opening 78 is so configured that, when the sleeve is rotated about the duct tube, the sleeve may be moved into and out of complete sealing relation with opening 76. Obviously, because of the configurations of openings 76 and 78, any degree of partial closure of opening 76 may be had as desired.

Valve 21 is provided so that the amount of vacuum provided in chamber 13 may be regulated depending upon the size of the label handled by the applicator. When small labels, sized such that a major portion of the perforations in plate 12 are not covered by the label, are being handled by the applicator, the valve is operated so that opening 76 is completely closed and the maximum possible vacuum is drawn in chamber 13 when valve members 28 and 29 are in their first position. As the size of the label handled by the applicator is increased, greater and greater areas of the undersurface of perforated plate 12 are covered by the label and, unless some adjustment is made elsewhere in the structure, the amount of vacuum provided in chamber 13 would correspondingly increase. If the full vacuum developed by the blower is applied to the plate, the larger a dispensed label becomes the more firmly it is held against the plate. If a label is too firmly held against the plate as it is dispensed adjacent the plate, the label will not be located properly on the plate. Accordingly, atmospheric vent 21 is adjusted in relation to the size of a label to be handled by the applicator so that the vacuum produced in chamber 13 is just sufficient to hold a label in contact with the underside of perforated plate 12 when the valve plates of the applicator are disposed in their first position. As a result, regardless of the size of the label being handled, the label is moved from its supporting release liner into the area below the plate where the vacuum becomes effective upon the label to move the label against the plate. The vacuum is not so strong as to prevent the label from sliding across the plate as the dispensing procedure for the label is completed. Accordingly, labels ranging in size from 7 inch by /2 inch to 4 inches by 5 inches are handled rapidly and conveniently by applicator 10.

FIG. 7 shows another applicator 88 according to this invention. The applicator includes a housing 81 having a perforated plate 82 at its lower end, the plate defining the lower boundary of a chamber 83 within the housing. In addition to chamber 83, the housing defines a vacuum plenum chamber 84 and a positive pressure chamber 85 which are separated by a common wall 86 within the housing. A two-stage centrifugal blower 87 is mounted in an upper interior portion of the housing and is powered by an electric motor 88 located in an upper portion of chamber 85. Chambers 83, 84 and 85 are arranged, in conjunction with a pair of pivoted valve plates 90 and 91, so that chamber 83 is placed alternately in communication with chambers 84 and 85 in response to cyclic operation of the valve plates. Valve plate 90 is mounted to a rotatable pivot pin 92 which is located substantially in line with a downward extension of partition 86 adjacent perforated plate 82. In a first position of the valve plate, the valve plate closes an opening 93 from vacuum plenum chamber 84 to the exterior of applicator housing 81. The valve plate also has a second position, indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 7, wherein the edge of the valve plate spaced from pivot pin 92 engages the lower extremity of wall 86, thereby communicating chamber 84 with the exterior of the housing and sealing chambers 83 and 84 from each other. Preferably, the lower portion of wall 86 is defined by a pliable rubber member 94 which'provides an airtight seal with valve member 90 when the valve member is in its second position.

Similarly, valve plate 91 is mounted to a rotatable hinge pin 95 disposed above the perforated plate opposite from hinge pin 92. Valve plate 91 has a first position wherein the edge of the valve plate opposite from hinge pin 95 engages rubber member 94 to separate and isolate chambers 83 and 85 from each other. The valve member has a second position, indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 7, wherein the upper edge of the valve member closes an opening 96 from chamber 85 to the exterior of the applicator housing.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, valve plates 90 and 91 are interconnected by a linkage 98 comprised of a pair of identical links 99 connected to hinge pins 92 and 95 and interconnected by a link 100. A solenoid 101 is provided and has its armature 102 connected to pivot pin 95 by way of a crank link 103. When the solenoid is unenergized, the valve plates are in their first positions as indicated in FIG. 7. When the solenoid is energized, however, armature 102 is moved against a compression spring 103 to move the valve members into their second positions. The operation of solenoid 101 is controlled by impression timing control mechanism 69.

Accordingly, it will be seen that applicator 80 is similar to applicator in that both applicators provide a mechanism for reversing the connection of the inlet and outlet of a continuously operating blower or draft means with a perforated plate against which a label may be held. When the inlet of the draft means is coupled to the perforated plate, a dispensed adhesive-backed label is held against the underside of the perforated plate by the vacuum presented to the underside of the plate. When the discharge of the draft means is presented to the perforated plate, the label is blown forcibly into engagement with an article to be labeled. No positive pressure override on a continuously applied vacuum is relied upon in an applicator according to this invention. Accordingly, the applicator can be used at very high rates and is not dependent on an external air source.

Applicator 80 is further similar to applicator 10 in that it includes an atmospheric vent for regulating the amount of vacuum presented to the perforated plate. In applicator 80, the atmospheric vent is provided by an aperture 110 through housing 81 above the inlet to blower 87. A plate 111 is pivotally connected to the exterior of the housing, as by a rivet 112, so that plate 111 may be moved relative to the housing to produce varying degrees of closure of aperture 110.

Preferably the blower used in applicators 10 and 80 is such as to provide a high volume, low pressured draft of air through the perforated plate of the applicator. Preferably the blower moves about 2 cubic feet of air per minute and is capable of developing a vacuum, or a positive pressure, of approximately inches of water at the perforated plate of the applicator. As indicated above, the actual amount of vacuum presented to the perforated plate is adjustable by reason of the adjustable atmospheric vent provided in the vacuum circuit of each of applicators 10 and 80.

The invention has been described above with reference to and in the context of two presently preferred structural embodiments of the invention. These structures may be altered or modified without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adhesive label applicator comprising:

a foraminous member adapted to receive against one side thereof a dispensed label to be applied to an article disposed therebelow,

a motor driven blower disposed adjacent the foraminous member and having an inlet and an outlet,

changeable passage means alternately coupling the blower inlet and the blower outlet to the other side of the foraminous member and comprising:

a housing mounting the foraminous member and the blower therewithin and defining first duct means communicating with the blower inlet and second duct means communicating with the blower outlet, s

valve means having first and second states,

the valvemeans and the housing being cooperatively arranged so that when the valve means is in the first state thereof the blower inlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous member and the blower draws a partial vacuum on the other side of the foraminous member to hold a dispensed label against the one side of said member, and so that when the valve means is in the second state thereof theblow er outlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous member and the blower produces asuperatmospheric pressure against the other side of the foraminous member to blow a dispensed label from against the one side of said member into contact with an article to be labelled, and

actuator means for cycling the valve means between the first and second states thereof,

the valve means comprising a valve 'block disposed between the foraminous member and the first and second duct means and defining first and second pairs of ports, the first pair of ports communicating separately from the first duct means to the foraminous member and from the second duct means to the exterior of the housing, the second pair of ports communicating separately from the first duct means to the exterior of the housing and from the second duct means to the foraminous member, and a pair of valve plates movable in response to operation of, the actuator means from closure relation with the second ports into and out of closure relation to the first ports.

2. An adhesive label applicator comprising:

a foraminous member adapted to receive against one side thereof a dispensed label to be applied to an article disposed therebelow,

a motor driven blower disposed adjacent the foraminous member and having an inlet and an outlet,

changeable passage means alternately coupling the blower inlet and the blower outlet to the other side of the foraminous member and comprising:

a housing mounting the foraminous member and the blower therewithin and defining first and means communicating with the blower inlet and second duct means communicating with the blower outlet, 7

valve means having first and second states,

the valve means and the housing being cooperativelyarranged so that when the valve means is in thev first state thereof the blower inlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous member and the blower draws a partial vacuum on the other side of the foraminous member to hold a dispensed label against the one side of said member, and so that when the valve means is in the second state thereof the blower outlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous memberand the blower produces a superatmospheric pressure against the other side of the foraminous member to blow a dispensed label from against the one side of said member into contact with an article to be labelled, and

actuator means for cycling the valve means between the first and second states thereof, 1

the housing 1) defining a first opening from the first duct means to the exterior of the housing and a second opening from the second duct means to the exterior of the housing and (2) including a partition common to the first and second duct means and having a port therethrough,

the valve means including a pair of plates hinged to the housing and movable respectively, in tandem and in response to operation of the actuator means, from closure relation to the first opening and the port into closure relation with the port and the second opening.

3. An adhesive label applicator comprising:

a foraminous member adapted to receive against one side thereof a dispensed label to be applied to an article disposed therebelow,

a motor driven blower disposed adjacent the foraminous member and having an inlet and an outlet,

changeable passage means alternately coupling the blower inlet and the blower outlet to the other side of the foraminous member and comprising:

a housing mounting the foraminous member and the blower therewithin and defining first duct means communicating with the blower inlet and second duct means communicating with the blower outlet,

valve means having first and second states,

the valve means and the housing being cooperatively arranged so that when the valve means is in the first state thereof the blower inlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous member and the blower draws a partial vacuum on the other side of the foraminous member to hold a dispensed label against the one side of said member, and so that when the valve means is in the second state thereof the blower outlet is coupled to the other side of the foraminous member and the blower produces a superatmospheric pressure against the other side of the foraminous member to blow a dispensed label from 10 against the one side of said member into contact with an article to be labelled, and actuator means for cycling the valve means between the first and second states thereof, the actuator means comprising a link operatively coupled to the valve means and reciprocable from a first position wherein the valve means is disposed in said first state and a second position wherein the valve means is disposed in said second state, and means for reciprocating the link. 4. A label applicator according to claim 3 wherein the means for reciprocating the link comprises a motor having a rotatable shaft, an electromagnetic clutch having the motor shaft coupled thereto as an input and having a rotatable output shaft, and an arm member secured to the clutch output shaft and coupled to the link for reciprocating the link in response to angular motion thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,315,737 9/1919 Milmoe 156-571 3,093,528 6/1963 Reich 156-285 3,123,354 3/1964 Ungerer 271-74 3,264,161 8/1966 Stremke 156-360 3,329,550 7/1967 Kucheck 156-285 3,372,079 3/1968 Fellner et al 156-360 3,379,600 4/1968 Schwartz 156-285 HAROLD ANSHER, Primary Examiner D. J. FRITSCH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

Patent No. 433 059 Dated December 9 1969 Inven tor 3a H Dinter It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 54, "member" should read --=members-.

Column 8, line 50, cancel "and", second occurrence, and insert --duct--.

SIGNED AND SEALED A 1 21970 QSEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, If. WILLIAM E. 'SCIHUYIIER, IR.

Aneatin Officer m ission r of Parent; 

